The 35 rules of train travel every passenger should follow
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Then there are the seat sprawlers who try to take up extra real estate with their bags, the café car squatters who leave no room for anyone else to eat and — worst of all — the extroverts who run conference calls from the quiet car. At least on planes, you can't be talking on your phone.
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'I think being on a long train journey, trapped inside a metal tube for several hours, seems to do something to people's behaviour,' said William Hanson, a Britain-based etiquette coach and author. 'They sort of forget that it's not their own private royal train.'
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Better to make sure you're on the right track now than when a conductor is inches from your panicked face.
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Leave no trace at the gate
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Clean up food wrappers, coffee cups and crumbs large enough to count as an amuse bouche.
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Tuck in all extremities, including legs and luggage wheels, while you're sprawled on the floor or running to board (We told you to get there early!)
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Got help? Make sure to tip.
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If you are travelling Amtrak at a station that offers it, make use of the Red Cap baggage handling service. Don't forget to tip.
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Don't zone out
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Pay attention to signs and announcements; that gate assignment can be stealth.
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Boarding
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This is not a stampede
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When the gate number is announced, remember: You are not an elephant. Proceed to your gate calmly and queue up.
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Don't block the doors
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Make room for the people exiting the train. Riding the train is not a contact sport, so don't act like an offensive lineman.
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Be someone's hero and help carry a heavy bag up the stairs or hoist it in the overhead compartment. We all need a little kindness.
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Watch your backpack
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Take off your pack, and hold it in front like a baby sling, so you don't bash the person behind you in the face.
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Four-seaters are for four people
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We love space, too. But leave the four-seater open for families or friend quartets. If a four-seater is open once the train starts moving, sit diagonal from your fellow passengers, not directly across from them, so your knees aren't kissing.
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CBC
6 hours ago
- CBC
Some Barrhaven commutes are now so long OC Transpo charges passengers twice
François Lavigne's afternoon commute can take so long that sometimes a single transit fare isn't enough. After his transfer time runs out, Lavigne's left asking himself: "Why am I paying twice for a worse commute?" It wasn't always so bad. Lavigne used to take a 200-series bus from Tunney's Pasture to Barrhaven, after catching a train from the University of Ottawa. It took about an hour, maybe an hour and a quarter. But that route was cancelled when OC Transpo redrew its bus map earlier this year, so now he has to take two buses to get to or from Tunney's Pasture, including a new route 70 he finds so unreliable that he calls it a "rogue bus." On paper, the trip takes about 90 minutes, but in reality it sometimes drags on for almost two hours. "It's demoralizing. It's frustrating. It's draining," Lavigne said. "It makes me reconsider transit." On at least three occasions earlier this year, he boarded his final bus after his 90-minute transfer expired. That means paying a second $4 fare. "The first time it happened, I was in disbelief," he said. He asked OC Transpo for a refund, but said he hasn't heard back after more than seven weeks. "It is only $4, but it's also the principle of the thing — giving them money for something that doesn't work," he said. 'I shouldn't have to buy a 2nd car' Sean Robertson has also gotten dinged for a double fare when he travels from his job in Gatineau, Que., back to Barrhaven's Half Moon Bay neighbourhood. He remembers when his commute took him just 45 minutes on Route 95, before the LRT. Then it took an hour and 20 minutes or so — until the recent bus route changes. Route 75 was a "lifeline," since it took him directly from Barrhaven to Gatineau with no need to transfer. But that direct link is gone. Construction along the Kichi Zībī Mīkan has made matters worse. The trip can now take almost two hours. Far too often, his last transfer falls outside the 90-minute window. "Instead of apologizing, or giving us some time, or compensating us for this disaster of a system, they charge us again," he said. In an emailed statement, OC Transpo said customers who pay twice for the same trip can contact it and request a refund. Such requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Some may take longer to process, OC Transpo said, depending on the complexity of the investigation. Robertson said he doesn't have the time to wait on the phone to fight a $4 charge. Instead, he bought a second car and now drives to a park-and-ride, cutting out one leg of his trip. "I should be able to take the bus from my house. I shouldn't have had to buy a second car," he said. "I bought a house intentionally near a bus stop so I could do it." Motion aims to extend transfer window Barrhaven West Coun. David Hill agrees it's unfair. He's introducing a motion to council's transit committee asking OC Transpo staff to review the 90-minute transfer window, which currently applies to trips taken between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., and present options to increase it. "It is not reasonable for someone going one direction, from point A to point B, to pay twice for a fare," he said. Hill said the bus route changes shouldn't automatically mean poor service. The local buses that replaced the express routes could work — if only the buses were reliable. "The routes that are supposed to start at Tunney's Pasture often don't start on time," he said. He said he's confident that as OC Transpo staff review the problem, common sense will prevail. "This is a problem that absolutely needs to be rectified," he said. Hill said he's expecting an answer from OC Transpo staff in the early fall. In his view, an extended transfer window should last until construction on the LRT west toward Algonquin Station is complete. Robertson said it shouldn't take a committee decision to extend transfer times: OC Transpo should just go ahead and do it, however bad it might look. "It's an admission of failure," he said. "If they have to publicly say, 'Oh, we can't move people from Barrhaven to downtown in less than 90 minutes,' then that looks pretty bad." Lavigne feels the same way. "That's the fastest thing they can do to alleviate the problem for transit users," he said. "But it equates to them admitting that they cannot get us home in a reasonable amount of time." OC Transpo said in its statement that it is currently reviewing the potential impact of extending the transfer window, including whether any scheduled trips from Barrhaven to the downtown core consistently exceed 90 minutes. "At this time, the scheduled duration of the majority of customer trips between Barrhaven and downtown take place in less than 90 minutes, however, staff will be investigating travel times further as part of the notice of motion," it said.
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Globe and Mail
GoldenVisa Simplifies European Relocation with Affordable Retirement Solutions for Expats
Approximately 38% of Americans decide to retire in Europe, per a recent survey. This move was made for a number of reasons, including affordability, stable economic conditions, and sound financial planning. Given these, many people may find retirement in Europe, with its rich history, to be alluring. But Americans need to understand that choosing a European retirement destination can be a draining experience. To spend their golden years, they must evaluate the cost of living, health insurance benefits, visa choices, crime rates, quality of life, and even outdoor activities. As a result, this post will list the simplest and most economical retirement destinations in Europe. What to Consider When Choosing the Right Country for Retirement With 44 European nations, it can be difficult for Americans to decide which one to retire to. However, before choosing your new plan "B" destination, there are a few important factors to take into account. Portugal for Retirees: An Overview Portugal, a country in Southern Europe, is ranked fifth in terms of European safety. It is a desirable retirement destination in the EU since it provides American seniors with a low cost of living and a great quality of life simultaneously. According to AIMA's 2025 interim assessment, foreign nationals presently make about 15% of the population. The number of American investors applying for the Portugal Residency by Investment Program, Portugal Golden Visa rose by 162.5% in 2023, which is consistent with this trend. What, then, makes Portugal so alluring to retirement communities? A family of four may initially cover their essential costs with a monthly salary of 2,416.3€, not including rent. A lunch for two usually costs between €30 and €60, so dining out is still reasonably priced. Basic utilities cost between €80 and €130, and monthly pass tickets cost €40. Benefits related to healthcare are still another allure. You will have access to the excellent and reasonably priced public healthcare system if you decide to live in Portugal. In addition, private health insurance is accessible and frequently chosen due to its shorter wait times. It is also a desirable location within the European Union due to its climate and natural surroundings. The nation provides a year-round active, outdoor-friendly way of life. You can join retirement communities and partake in sports like cycling, hiking, golfing, and sailing while you're in Portugal. How to Retire in Portugal with the D7 Visa You can enter Portugal as an American retiree and remain for up to 90 days without a visa. However, a temporary residency permit is required if your stay is more than ninety days. Portugal provides a D7 Visa, commonly known as a Passive Income Visa, for this purpose. For US retirees who have a steady income from investments, social security, or pensions, it is perfect. Applicants must keep a clean criminal record, show proof of housing within Portugal, and show a minimum monthly income of €820 in order to be eligible for the D7 visa. As an alternative, the Portugal Golden Visa provides a route to residency by qualified investment capital, with a €500,000 minimum commitment. According to the information sourced from Get Golden Visa, although this five-year regulation may alter, all visa categories allow for the admission of family members and can result in permanent residency and eventual citizenship after five years. How to Retire in Spain? With its rich cultural heritage, Spain, which is situated on the Iberian Peninsula of Europe, is generally regarded as a secure country. For this reason, it has grown in popularity among American retirees. Spain has about 8 million foreign-born citizens, or 16.71% of the total population. More than 41,000 of them are Americans who have decided to start a new chapter in their lives in Spain. Make sure the expense of living in Spain is within your means if you intend to retire there. on rent excluded, a family of four can typically make ends meet on about €2,552.30 per month. The cost of housing varies by location. A three-bedroom apartment in a city, for example, costs about €1,437.29. Additionally, you should be aware that eating out is reasonably priced, with dinners for two costing between €35 and €80. A monthly ticket for public transportation costs about €30, and it is both economical and efficient. The monthly cost of basic utilities varies from €80 to €218 based on usage and location. Another crucial factor to take into account is the public healthcare system. After registering with the Social Security system or through private health insurance, you can frequently utilize it if you become a legal resident. The Mediterranean shore has several advantages when it comes to outdoor activities and lifestyle. 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National Post
2 days ago
- National Post
Air Canada and ITA Airways sign deal increasing options for travel to Italy
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